Greetings class!
As I started Chapter 4, I was aware this chapter would be lengthy, yet informative. So many things were cover in this chapter; from the aspects of understanding the messages, to the theories that help explains the message.
All in all, this chapter gave me the understanding one should know that verbals and nonverbals are the basics of the message. For instance, an example of verbals is the actual language that is being spoken, such as conversing with a friend or co-worker. While nonverbals are gestures of some type of motion including facial smirks, tapping of fingers, or any other outrageous behaviors.
This observation from the text made a lot of sense when an inpatient customer at my job continuously taps on the counter as I help another customer, who was ahead of him. He then slams the box of shoes down on the counter and begins to look for his card, in a quick fashion, to pay for the shoes. Without the guy even saying anything, I could tell that he was uneasy, in a rush, or upset. That comes to show how powerful nonverbals are and gave me a more clear sense of how nonverbals can be displayed.
While maneuvering through Chapter 4 some theories were unclear,but one theory I can speak on and totally understood and grasp easily was the Theory of Identification. Kenneth Burke explains in this theory that symbols help people understand. As a new employee at the Shoe Deptartment I notice that before I received my work shirt, many people asked:
"Do you work here?" This was only being asked because my shirt was not recognizable without the store, Shoe Department, symbol/logo.
"Do you work here?" This was only being asked because my shirt was not recognizable without the store, Shoe Department, symbol/logo.
After receiving the official work shirt, those questions didn't come as often. It goes back to show that the theory of identification can be seen at almost any uniformed workplace, cars, clothing, and accessories.
Overall, in order to improve my understanding of the theories, I try my best to connect them with real-life situations. Since I read sometimes on my break at work, I feel that this is where most of my connections are made.
PS: I hope that little bit of advice guides you through the next couple of chapters.
References: Littlejohn, S. W., Foss, K. A., & Oetzel, J. G. (2017). Theories of Human Communication.
References: Littlejohn, S. W., Foss, K. A., & Oetzel, J. G. (2017). Theories of Human Communication.
Hi! I really enjoyed reading you post about the Message. I found the chapter to be quite long as well so I am glad to see I was not alone with that comment. But I think it had to be long to prove a point. There are so many ways to communicate with others and I thought it was necessary to express all the ways that we as human do it. Non-verbal acts are huge part of communication, so I am happy that you chose to talk about them within your post. I cannot tell you how many times as a Key holder or sales associate I have run into those types of "customers" who are very impatient and give off negative body language. I used to laugh because I would kill them with so much kindness and positive body language (smiles, wide eyes, a little bop in my step) that it would either change their mood or make them extremely uncomfortable. I hope the chapter helped you as much as it helped me. Thanks for sharing!
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